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Saturday, 31 January 2009

Cosmetics & Beauty News January 2009

Jean Paul CovetedThanks to a tip-off from a fellow beauty blogger, I can also reveal this fabulous limited edition item from Jean Paul Gaultier, which combines the on-trend fashion accessory with a gorgeous solid version of the JPG perfume 'Classique'. Out now in Sephora in the US at $56, it's sure to make it over here soon enough too.

Neal's Yard makes its department store debutOnce the unique preserve of its own exclusive stores, organic beauty brand Neal's Yard is now available at Boots.

Launch padMy biggest piece of news this month has obviously been the chance to attend Lancôme's launch of their latest product, Génifique. However, new products are coming out all the time, and this month's newest offerings includes Issey Miyake's launch into the skincare market with the introduction of a water-based anti-ageing cream, La Crème de l'Eau. The water that it uses comes from the Kirishima spring, which produces such pure water that it allegedly healed a 17th-century soldier's war wounds. As a result, this cream will (with a bit of luck anyway) reduce wrinkles, firm up the skin, hydrate the skin, and illuminate the complexion. Priced at €220, this will be available from March 16 2009. Additionally, after being made available in France, Switzerland, Spain and the UAE in 2008, Bulgari's skincare range will finally be made available in the US in the first half of 2009. The range includes eye makeup remover, a toner, and various cleansers, all in peaceful pink bottles.

Now something for the male of the species..Ahead of my review of a men's shampoo this February, it seems that men's grooming is gaining momentum and a generally positive press elsewhere. In this vein, ShortList magazine has announced the winners of its annual Grooming Awards. The winners range from budget brands like Nivea to luxury goods such as Hermès. Good work! The full list can be viewed here.

Dermalogica opens Manhattan concept storeI wish I were in New York to see this open in February, having already seen this week the wow-factor that Lancôme's concept store was able to provide in Paris. As well as being able to play with products, Dermalogica's new store will also provide fast-acting MicroZone skin treatments, affordable massages, and their patented FaceMapping analysis. Nice.

Flower and herb cosmetics from the Baltic meadows and forestsLatvian skincare brand MADARA is about to make its UK debut, having just signed a 4-year distribution deal. I initially panicked when the only available information seemed to be in Latvian. However, with a little help from my good friend Google I soon found two online retailers from which it is available: Feel Karma, and Love Lula. Thanks to MADARA's UK PR people, I also found their website in English (www.madara.co.uk/en). There are also physical retailers in Nottingham (Little London Herbal Store), Canterbury (Ecorium), Glasgow (EnBeauty) and London (Triyoga; Spitalfields Organics; and So Organic). And, digging deeper, all seems encouraging: Madara is all about ecology, believing that natural ingredients are best for our bodies and minds, and it's reasonably priced too, with the cheapest product in the range being just £4.85. It combines breadth with expertise, and was recently held up by the WWF as an example of an ecological brand to follow. It offers skincare, body care, and makeup items too. I can't wait to get my mitts on some (luckily for me it's coming to France too), and it's great to see our Eastern European friends offering their expertise in a West-dominated market.

Scarlett Johansson the inaugural face of Dolce and Gabbana's new makeup lineThe release of D&G's makeup line being undoubtedly the event of the makeup world's year to date, the inclusion of Scarlett the starlet (disguised as Marilyn Monroe) as its face is just the icing on the cake. The range itself will be available in February in the US, and will hit France and the UK in late summer. The brand looks sumptuous, and prices will range from $20 for nail lacquer to $59 for powder foundation.

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About Me

As a teacher, blogger, freelance translator, sometime student of Italian, onetime NaNoWriMo contestant and generally obsessive reader and writer, I think it's safe to say that language is my life. My side interests include documentaries, not tidying, and Double Stuf Oreos.